on video Diodes Explained

 

The diode is the "simplest" semiconductor

The diode is usually the first semiconductor component introduced in any course.

of electronics. This comes from the fact that among the various semiconductor components, the diode

has the simplest internal structure.

As we will see, the external behavior of a diode is on the other hand not trivial at

apprehend. In particular, solving a diode circuit is a delicate operation.

Diodes are mainly used to rectify a voltage…

The first basic function of a diode is to rectify an electrical quantity (voltage or

current), i.e. to convert an alternating quantity (=successively positive and negative)

into an exclusively positive quantity.

This function is particularly essential in power supplies. But any device

electronics need to be powered to work...

Rectification is also used to demodulate signals, for example for radio in

amplitude modulation (AM range). This case will be explained later in this chapter. The second basic function that a diode can perform is to limit the voltage on other

components, which is called "clipping". This voltage limitation can for example be used to

protect these other components from possible overvoltages or to maintain a voltage

constant at their terminals (voltage regulation).

Diodes are also very present in the form of LEDs

A completely different application of diodes is that of indicator light. Some diodes

(called "LEDs" for Light Emitting Diode = light-emitting diode or "diode

electroluminescent") indeed emit light when a current passes through them.

Many indicator lights around us are actually LEDs, so diodes (but

do not conclude that everything that lights up is an LED!).

 

The diode is the "simplest" semiconductor

The diode is usually the first semiconductor component introduced in any course.

of electronics. This comes from the fact that among the various semiconductor components, the diode

has the simplest internal structure.

As we will see, the external behavior of a diode is on the other hand not trivial at

apprehend. In particular, solving a diode circuit is a delicate operation.

Diodes are mainly used to rectify a voltage…

The first basic function of a diode is to rectify an electrical quantity (voltage or

current), i.e. to convert an alternating quantity (=successively positive and negative)

into an exclusively positive quantity.

This function is particularly essential in power supplies. But any device

electronics need to be powered to work...

Rectification is also used to demodulate signals, for example for radio in

amplitude modulation (AM range). This case will be explained later in this chapter. The second basic function that a diode can perform is to limit the voltage on other

components, which is called "clipping". This voltage limitation can for example be used to

protect these other components from possible overvoltages or to maintain a voltage

constant at their terminals (voltage regulation).

Diodes are also very present in the form of LEDs

A completely different application of diodes is that of indicator light. Some diodes

(called "LEDs" for Light Emitting Diode = light-emitting diode or "diode

electroluminescent") indeed emit light when a current passes through them.

Many indicator lights around us are actually LEDs, so diodes (but

do not conclude that everything that lights up is an LED!).